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Guam Braces for Second Super Typhoon
4 Jul
Summary
- Super typhoon Bavi approaches with category-5 strength winds.
- Islands are still recovering from Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April.
- Oceans are warming, potentially intensifying storms like Bavi.
Residents of Guam and the Northern Marianas are making final preparations as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches with winds equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. The storm is located hundreds of kilometers east of the archipelago, with sustained winds of 259 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 314 kilometers per hour.
The islands' approximately 200,000 inhabitants have been seen stocking up on necessities like food, water, and fuel, and boarding up windows in anticipation. Both Guam and the Northern Marianas have declared states of emergency. This event is particularly concerning as the region is still recovering from Super Typhoon Sinlaku in mid-April, which caused significant damage, including power outages and structural damage to buildings.
The increasing intensity of storms like Bavi is linked to warming ocean temperatures. Scientists note that global oceans experienced their hottest June on record, and a developing El Nino pattern is expected to further elevate global heat. This phenomenon warms Pacific Ocean surface temperatures, leading to worldwide changes in weather patterns and increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events.
